[Elecraft] 'Q' signal trivia-link to codes

[Bill Hammond]

Many of you may fine the link attached interesting as it is the origin of our number codes.  Journalists of a certain age may also see the -30- designation also used for some time as the end of a story.  It has a long history.
http://www.civilwarsignals.org/pages/tele/wurules1866/92code.html
73,
Bill
AK5X


On Jul 18, 2011, at 7:46 PM, iain macdonnell - N6ML wrote:

> The way I look at it, "73" doesn't translate specifically to any
> particular words (in English, or any other language). It's a
> language-independent expression of good will to the other operator,
> akin to verbal expressions in English like "all the best", "cheers",
> etc. Given that, I don't think it's necessarily any less-valid to
> pluralise it when morphing it into a verbal or textual expression in
> English. Now.... is it "seven-three[s]", or "seventy-three[s]" when
> spoken aloud??? ;)
> 
> 73[[']s],
> 
>    ~iain
> 
> 
> On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 12:21 AM, Bert Craig <wa2si at arrl.net> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> <!-- HTC Mail Separation -->
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> <!-- HTC Mail Separation -->Not so fast there, Phil. "73's" was in use before 11-meter CB (Pse see previous posts.)
>> 
>> I must say that I've always made a conscious effort to us "73" as a result of simple reasoning; 73 is already plural, i.e. "Best regards," no need to pluralize that which is already plural.
>> 
>> As for the "3's & 8's" or "first personal," remember, it's a different service and a more relaxed one at that. I, for one, can be a little tolerant with the aforementioned phrases... Just as long as it stays on CB - hihi.
>> 
>> There is a local net on 27.3850 MHz (CB Ch. 38) USB that is an absolute pleasure to listen to. A group of well mannered ops with nary a "73's" or "QRT and standing by" to be heard. It's encouraging but I do hear the dark side of the force from time to time as well. Heck, I've even started to hear some CW traffic there too, go figure.
>> 
>> As always, take care es...
>> 
>> Vy 73 de Bert (my "handle")
>> WA2SI
>> 
>> "...and all the pieces matter."
>>                  -- Det. Lester Freamon, BPD
>>